Fuse and mounting



July 29, 1924.

c. CHRISTENSEN FUSE AND MOUNTING Filed Dec. 12 1919 2 Shasta-Shoot l July 29, 1924.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

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FUSE AND.MOUNTING.

Application filedfieeember 12,1919. Serial Io. 34 4,3130.

To it concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTEN Cmns'rnn- SEN, a citizen of the United States, residing in-Chicago, in the county of Cook and State 5 of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Im rovement in Fuses and Mounting's, of 'ch the following is a full, clear,

concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming. a part of this. specification.

My invention. relates to electrical fuses and mountin The aim o my invention is to providean improved fuse andmounting of such charl5 acter that the gases and vapors occurring upon blowing of the fusible link may discharge from one end of'the fuse, thus extinguish'ing. the arc whichwould otherwise tend to maintain itself between the terminals.

The fuse which I have illustrated is of the expulsion type, but it is to be understood that the construction which I have devised is useful not only with the'expulsion type but with any other type.

Heretofore it has been a practical difficulty to provide a; mounting which would so carrythe fuse that one end thereof would be entirely closed. The practical way of constructing fuses necessitates that the fusible link be projected through each end of the carrying insulator sleeve and that it be mounted or fastened on the outside of the sleeve for the sake of easy. and quick change of the link when it blows. In the operation of the fuse, that is when it blows upon overload or short circuit of thecurrent, it is not desirable for well known reasons, to

have the gases discharge from both ends.

Many devices heretofore have been devised,

such as cap screws with washers of such size as to act as shields or fingers projecting over the opening, which in practice prove very ineffective. In other words, the same difiiculty is encountered upon blowing of fuses as is met with when a cartridge explodes in a gun barrel.

According to the teachings of my invention I overcome these difficulties by so ar-- ranging and constructing my device that the opening of the upper'end of the fuse is closed by a projecting tongue which serves as a breech block.

For convenience in handling, the fuse is provided at each end with a ring carried in such a position that the ring which is required is brought into positionv at the corresponding stage of insertion or withdrawal. To apply or withdraw the fuse, I employ a stick or hook such as is well known in the 60 art for use in connection with the operation of disconnecting switches. Although I am aware of the fact that fuses of this type which have been manipulated by a stick and which have taken the place of disconnecting 65 switches are known in the prior art, I believe I am first to provide a unique mounting carrying a breech block, which facilitates a quick and novel blow out of the fuse,

which makes a discharge at one end only, and which permits such fusible links to be readily replaced. I

In order to acquaintthose skilled in the art with the nature and manner of practice ing my invention, I shall now describe the same in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of the same;

Figure 1. is a side elevational view of a construction of fuse and mounting which embodies my invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 isa fragmentary isometric view of the discharge end of the fuse, showing the ferrule block and the trunnions mounted thereon;

Figure 4 is a similar fragmentary isometric view but showing the upper end of the ferrule block which engages the breech block finger;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the terminal mounting carrying the spring jaws in which socket portions are formed;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the fusible link employed;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of fusible link; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the stick or implement for inserting or withdrawing the fuse. i

The body of the fuse 5 comprises a sleeve or iece of tubing 6, made of suitable insulating material such as fibre, bakelite, hard rubber, glass or the like, having ferrules 7 and 8 threaded or otherwise fitted upon the upper and lower ends respectively of the tube or sleeve. These ferrules are preferably block shaped to increase the contacting area which increases the reliability of the contacts as well as improving the arrangement and operation of the parts in other respects. A ring or lug 9 is formed integral with the ferrule 7, this ring having a suitable opening or eye 10 which, when the fuse is in the position shown in Figure 1, projects forward in the most convenient position to be engaged by the stick or operating implement 11 shOWn in Figure 8.

The ferrule 7 has its outer end closed by the wall 11 as best shown in Figure 4, this wall having a perforation through which passes the fusible link 12, this fusible link being of suitable material, which will be more fully described hereinafter, having its outer end clamped upon the out side wall of the ferrule 7 by means of the cap screw 13. At its lower end the fusible link 12 is also clamped upon the outside wall of the ferrule 8 by means of the cap screw 14. The ferrule 8 has its lower end open through which the fuse link 12 is inserted, or withdrawn from the sleeve 6 for renewal of the same. This open end of the ferrule also serves as a discharge port for the link when it blows, and I find that by constructing the fuse in this manner all dangers concurrent upon blowing of the explosion type of fuse are safely kept under control in one direction.

The supporting structure of my device comprises the vertical base 15 carried by two or more supporting pipes b means of U-memb'ers 16 and nuts 17. T 's base in turn has mounted thereon in any suitable manner a pair of insulators 18 and 19 having the base mountings 20 and 21 respectively at the outer ends thereof. The character of insulator mountings is not the essence of the present invention and is shown merely to illustrate the usual manner in which fuses of this type are mounted and to make clear the conditions of operation encountered.

To the base mountings 20 and 21 are mounted in any suitable manner as by bolts 24, the terminal members designated as an entirety by reference characters 22 and 23 respectively. These members preferabl have integrally formed bases 25 throug which the bolts 24 pass and to which the insulator mountings are fastened. The upper end of member 22 and the lower end of member 23 have formed thereon the ter-.

minals 26 to which the conductors areconnected through suitable terminal sockets 27 fastened thereto in the usual manner. The other ends of these members are formed with rounded ends as at 26'.

The spring jaws, 30 and 31 preferably fastened by suitable screws to the mounting members 22 and 23, serve as terminals of the circuit. In axial alignment with each other are the sockets 32 acting as bearings and which are formed in the spring jaws. These sockets or bearings are formed to fit the contour of the guiding members which will hereinafter be mentioned. The portions immediately in front of these bearings or sockets are punched outwardly to form tapered trackways 33 for the guide members, which, when engaging the jaws 30 and 31 will first align themselves with the bearings 32 before seating therein by riding the trackways 33. The raised seat 34 serves to keep the respective pairs of jaws- 30 and 31 properly spaced, while the spring member 35 resses the jaws inwardly, thereby affor ing excellent contact. At the lower ends the spring clips 35 are suitably mounted to the member 23 as by means of the screws 36. The upper ends of the clips are curved so that the tighter the lower ends are made to engage the members 22 and 23,

as by tightening up the screws, the greater the tension will be.

The upper ferrule is provided with guiding screws 28, as best shown in Figure 4, which are preferably aligned with each other so that they align with the trackways 33 and seats in the sockets 32. The screws 28 hold the ferrule 7 upon the tube of insulation 6 and serve as means for preventing the ferrule from offering too great frictional resistance when the ferrule isbrought be tween the spring clips 31. The head of the screws project out further than the depths of the grooves 33 so that when the screw head 28 is in contact with the groove, it raises the flat part of the spring clips 31 away from the fiat faces of the ferrule so that the fuse may be readily inserted and readily removed by this camming action.

The lower ferrule is also provided with guiding screws 29, which extend laterally in such a manner as to cause the fuse, when swung upon the axis of these guiding screws, to move in substantially a vertical plane. The guiding members 28 and 29, which are shown as the heads of screws threaded into the ferrules 7 and 8 may be in the form of rivets or other suitable projecting studs.

The trackways 33 are preferably formed rent passing through the fuse. These trun time the aperture through which the fusible link 12 projects is tightly closed, thereby serving as a breech block, when the fuse is blown upon overload or short circuit of the current. I The projecting end of the finger is curved upwardly so as to guide the ferrule 7 upon engagement and disengagement of the terminal jaws 30. Likewise the terminal jaws 30 and 31 are flared outwardly at the outer end to guide the ferrules between them.

The fusible members employed in this ty of fuse usually have their outer ends en arged so that a bearing surface will be provided for the clamping member, such as a cap screw. This enlarged end necessitates a large opening at each end of the fuse. I find that by eliminating this enlarged portion at one of the ends, a much smaller opening in the ferrule adjacent the breech block can be obtained. The fusible link illustrated in Figure 6 comprises the wire member and the fusible member 41 which is secured or fastened to the wire in any suitable 'manner, the wire member 45 passing through to the perforation of the ferrule 7 and held by the cap screw 14. The fusible member passes through the discharge port of the ferrule 7 and is held by the cap screw 13.

In Figure 7 a modified form of fuse link is shown, having a fusible member 43 inserted between two wires 44 which wires are also secured or fastened to the member 43 in any suitable manner.

The operation of the device shown in the figures is as follows: To remove the fuse from the position as shown in Figure 1, the finger 40 of the stick or implement of high insulating quality is inserted in the eye 10 at the upper end of the fuse 5 and this-end of the fuse is pulled outwardly to disengage the ferrule 7 from the spring jaws 30. The fuse 5 is then swung down into the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, whereupon the circuit is broken. Should it be desired to remove the fuse entirely'from the mountings, further removal can be made by pulling the ferrule out of the spring jaws 31. Of course, then the finger 40 of the implement is removed. It will be noted that the trackways 33 of the jaws 30 and 31 facilitate the withdrawal of the trunnions from their socket bearings and permit the jaws to carry a greater degree of tension from the spring clips 35, than would otherwise bepermitted. The tighterand firmer the fer- $.5 rules are held the greater utility the fuse switch of this type has and the greater is the life of the same.

Now assuming that the fuse member 12 is replaced or otherwise repaired and itis desired to remount the fuse 5 and (lose the circuit, the fuse 5 is first mounted by placing the ferrule 8 in the jaws 31 in a man ner similar to the way it was removed. Then the tip 40 of the implement is inserted in the eye 10 mounted upon the forrule 7 and the fuse swung upwardly into engagement with the upper terminal member 22.

The fuse shown is of the expulsion type and I have therefore provided the breech block finger 37 extending above the top of the upper ferrule. In case of blowing of the fusible wire the finger prevents upward movement of the fuse due to the recoil caused by the explosion.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have eliminated the usual disconnecting switch which has been employed where a fuse is used and that I have combined the two into one device, thereby increasing its commercial utility.

I do not intend to be limited to the preci'se details of construction shown and described.

I claim:

1. In a fuse having a sleeve and terminals thereon, current carrying means cooperating with said terminals, and a breech block associated with one of said current carrying means and engaging the corresponding terminal.

2. In combination, a sleeve and terminals thereon, said sleeve having a fusible member projecting therethrough, amounting, and a breech block on said mounting cooperating with one of said terminals for substantially closing the end thereof, and current carry ing means also engaging said terminal.

3. In combination, a fuse having a sleeve, terminals on said sleeve having apertures m the ends thereof, and a stationary contact member providing breech block means closing one apertured end only.

4:. In combination, a fusible link, a sleeve, terminal members on said sleeve apertured for the ends of the fusible link, and breech block means closing one apertured end only.

5. In combination, a fuse having a sleeve and a pair of terminals, carrying means on said terminals, spring contact jaws for carrying said means, and a breech block on one of said jaw mountings adapted to engage the end of one of said terminals.

6. In a fuse mounting, a pair of spring jaws adapted to pivotally carry a pair of pivotal members on the lower terminal of thefuse, a pair of spring contact jaws for engaging the upper'terminal of the fuse,

and a member projecting from the base of said contact jaws for breech blocking the end of the upper terminal.

- jaws pivotally carrying the open end fer rule, and a pair ofco'nt-act jaws engaging the other ferrule and a projecting element adapted to cooperate with the closed end for breech blocking the same.

8. In a fuse of the character describedQa fuse having a sleeve carrying contact fer.

rules at each end thereof, guiding members projecting from said ferrules, the members on the lower ferrules being pivotally mounted in spring jaws, the members on the upper ferrules engaging spring contact jaws, and a tongue on the contact jaws cooperating with the end of the latter ferrule for breech bl'ockingthe same.

9. In a mounting for a fuse having terminals, a pair of members having a base and a pair of contact j aws, spring means yieldably pressing said jaws against thefuse terminals, said. jaws having socket means forreceiving trunnions on the terminals, and a projecting finger on one of said members adapted to serve as a breech block.

10. In combination a sleeve of insulation having. metallic ferrules forming terminals on the'end's, a groove across the end of one of said ferrules, a wire of relatively high 4 conductivity lying in said groove and having'its outer end secured to said ferrule, a fusible member connected to said wire and having itsother end connected to the ferrule at the other end of the sleeve and a separate member overlying the ferrule with the groove to close said end ofthe sleeve.

11. In combination with a fuse having a covering sleeve, a fusible link consisting of a conducting member of relatively high conductivity and a fusible member, terminals on said sleeve, one of said terminals having a relatively smaller opening in the end thereof than the other terminal, the said small openingadapted to have said first mentioned member passed therethrough and be closed by a breech block member.

12. In combination, a sleeve member, a fusible link comprising a conducting member of relatively high conductivity and a fusible member, terminal members on said sleeve with apertures at theends thereof for the ends of the fusible link, one of said .apertured terminals being adapted to receive the member of relatively high conductivity and to be closed by a breech block member, and a breech block member having relative lateral movement with respect to said last mentioned terminal.

13. In combination, .a tubular sleeve of insulatlon, an open ferrule at one end of "the lower end of said sleeve and a fusible member connecting said terminal members,

one end of said fusible member lying in a groove in the end of one of said terminal members. I j

15. In combination, a pair of spring contact jaws forming stationary terminals, a fuse having ferrules in the shape of flat faced blocks. which are fastened on the ends of the sleeve and adapted to be embraced by thespring of the contact jaws, one of said blocks having lateral projections forming trunnions; and the jaws of one of said termi als having cooperating sockets for engaging said projections.

16. In combination, spring contact jaws, a fuse having a terminal member for cooperation with said spring contact jaws and being gripped solely by the spring of said jaws and means between said jaws and said terminal member for preventing displacement of said member from said jaws and permitting withdrawal outwardly only.

17. In combination, a pair of spring contact jaws, a fuse for connecting said jaws,

said fuse including a tubu'r insulator, a Y

tubular terminal member on said insulator having trunnions directly thereon, one of said spring contact jaws having sockets for co-operation with said trunnions whereby said fuse is adapted to be swung about said trunnions to break the connection between said spring contact jawssaid sockets opening outwardly only. A

18. In combination, a pair of flat spring jaws supported in substantially parallel relation, the outer ends being flared out, said jaws having transverse holes therethrough, and grooves from the flared portion to said holes. a v

19. In combination, a pair of flat spring jaws supported in substantially parallel relation, the outer ends being flared out said jaws having transverse, holes therethrough, grooves running from the flared portion to said holes and means for reinforcing said spring jaws at points further from the sup port thanthe beginning of the perforated portions.

20. In combination, a pair of flat spring jaws supported in substantially parallel relation, the outer ends being flared out, said jaws having transverse holes in substantially the central portions of the same, and grooves running from the flared portion to jectin said said holes and a contact member havin fiat sides bearing lateral projections, sai lateral projections being adapted to ride in said grooves and rest in said holes. I

21. In combination, a tube of insulation, a flat sided ferrule on one end thereof, procontacting with the sides of said ferrules, said jaws having grooves engaging the ends of said projecting portions to guide them.

22. In combination, apair of substantially parallel contact jaws, a parallel sided conducting member adapted to be embraced between said jaws and projections on the sides of said conducting member for spreading the jaws apart until the conducting member is suitably disposed between the aws.

1 23.131 combination, a pair of substantially parallel contact jaws, and a parallel sided conductingmember adapted to be embraced between said jaws and means comprising embossed portions for pivoting the conducting member between said jaws.

24. In combination, a pair of substantially parallel contact jaw members and a parallel sided conducting member adapted to be embraced by said jaw members, said members having cooperating portions adapted to be offset with respect to said parallel sides for forming trunnions forthe conducting member.

25. In combination, .a tube of insulation having flat sided ferrules on each end, one of said ferrules being fastened upon the tube by means having circular bosses projecting from the flat sides of one of the ferrule members.

26. In combination, a pair of jaws and a flat sided conducting member adapted to be gripped thereby, and screws threaded into said conducting member, the .heads thereof providing means for centering said conducting member in said jaws during insertion of said member by movement toward the base of said jaws. a

27. In combination, a pair of spring jaws, a fiat sided conducting member adapted to be embraced by said jaws and boss and groove means forholding the jaws apart until the conducting member is properly placed betweenthe jaws.

28. In. combination, a pair of spring jaws, a flat sided conducting member adapt+ ed to be embraced by said jaws and means for holding the jaws apart until the conducting member is properly placed between the jaws, saidlatter means forming a pivot and guiding the movement of the parts into position.

29. In tially parallel spring jaws havin flared outer ends and grooves extending om the portion extending laterally from at side, and a pair of flat jaws for combination, a pair of substan flared portions towards the centfal part of said spring jaws.

30. In combination, a. fuse member having trunnions at one end about which the fuse is adaptedtobe swung, and a breech block member under which the other end of the fuse isadapted to be swung.

31. In combination, two pairs of aligned spring jaws, one pair providing trunnion bearings, a fuse having a ferrule at each end, and trunnions rigidly secured on opposite sides on one of the ferrules and cooperating with the bearings in said one part of the spring jaws, said one pair of spring jaws also cooperating with the ferrule bearing said trunnions.

32. In combination, two pairs of aligned spring jaws and a fuse having trunnions mounted in one of said spring jaws and a breech block adjacent the other pair of spring jaws.

. 33. A fuse having open ends, ferrules on said ends and pulling eyes connected to said ferrules on opposite sides of the sleeve.

34. In a fuse having a sleeve and terminals thereon, a mounting for said fuse,-a breech block covering one of said terminals, and a fusible element comprising a more readily fusible portion remote from the breech block, and a less readily fusible poreach end and an eye for each ferrule, said ferrules being formed to cooperate with the spring. jaws to prevent turning of the fuse about its longitudinal axis.

36. In combination, a tube of insulation, a flat sided ferrule on one end thereof, proj ecting portions extending laterally from said flat sides, and a pair of flat spring jaws for contacting with the sides of said ferrule, said jaws having grooves for guiding said projecting portions.

37. In combination contact jaws, a terminal member cooperating therewith, said jaws and member havin current carrying contact surfaces of relatlvely regular contour, and cooperating irregularities of contour adapted to hold said current carrying surfaces out of contact during insertion and removal of said terminal member, and to guide the movement thereof.

38. In combination, a pair of spring jaws, a fiat sided conducting member adapted to be embraced by said jaws, means for holding. the jaws apart until the conducting member is properly placed between the jaws,

nearer their 'free ends than the weakest section of said jaws. Q

40. In combination, two pairs of aligned spring jaws, one pair provided with trunnion bearings, a fuse having a ferrule at each end, said ferrules being adapted to be gripped by said spring jaws, and means forming trunnions rigidly secured on op- I posite sides of one of the ferrules and cooperating with the bearings in said one pair 10 of spring jaws, said meansv extendmg through the said ferrule and holding the ferrule upon the body of the fuse.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 29th day of November, A D.

CHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN. 

